Παρουσίαση/Προβολή

(BAAG184) -  Γιώργος Μπουρογιάννης

Περιγραφή Μαθήματος

The course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of ancient Greek religion and cult. The time frame is set between the Late Bronze Age and the end of the Classical period, with due consideration also of Hellenistic cultic contexts. Given that ancient Greek religion transcended most aspects of social, cultural and political life, understanding it and becoming familiar with the plurality of its cultic practices offers an essential key to the understanding of ancient Greek culture as a whole.

The methodological tools applied by the course rest primarily on the presentation and assessment of archaeological evidence produced in cultic contexts, corroborated by frequent allusions to selected epigraphic and literary or mythological data. Within this framework, students will become familiar with Aegean cultic contexts of different periods, the notion and archaeological visibility of sacred spaces, cult implements and their corresponding visual/artistic imagery, as well as the multiple and sometimes overlapping qualities of ancient Greek divine figures. Given the long chronological frame of the course, students will have the opportunity to approach ancient Greek religion diachronically, thus following the gradual evolution and transformations of cults and rituals in the ancient Aegean.

The wide variety and individuality that often characterizes ancient Greek cultic practices, is the main reason for focusing on specific case-studies that include different types of sanctuaries (urban, extra-urban, panhellenic, regional etc.).

The course includes a number of weekly lectures, in which the active participation of students (through discussions, descriptions of artefacts, interpretation of evidence, questions and answers) is strongly encouraged.

Students will also benefit from visits to two of the most significant sanctuaries of Attica, namely the sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis and the sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron, both of which are closely related to specific and highly influential cultic practices. These two sites also include outstanding museums that help students become more familiar with material and epigraphic evidence produced in cultic contexts.

Instead of a final exam, students are required to write an essay that should be submitted by the end of the course and also presented in the class. The provisional length of the essay is between 3,500 and 5,000 words, while the allotted time for its oral presentation is 15-20 minutes, followed by questions and discussion.  Although a list of indicative subjects is available upon request, students are encouraged to suggest their own topics, as long as these befit the scope of the course.

Ημερομηνία δημιουργίας

Τρίτη 3 Μαρτίου 2026